Book Review: Goodness and Light by Patty Blount

What the book is about:

Thirteen years ago, two teens met on the ramp to Ground Zero, on a cold and snowy day, strangers bonding in a moment of grief. The boy pressed a crystal snowflake ornament into the girl’s hand and disappeared into the crowd, unaware that his simple act of kindness saved her from the guilt that threatened to consume her.

Since losing her mom, Elena Larsen hasn’t set foot in New York City — until now. Agreeing to help her sister prepare for her baby’s birth seems like a good way to spend Christmas and Elena vows not to let the monstrous guilt that weighs on her heart ruin everything. But those plans go awry when she meets Lucas Adair, a man whose own grief and guilt just might rival her own.

When Elena discovers Lucas is the boy who gave her that crystal snowflake all those years ago, she can’t accept it as the sign Lucas believes it to be. For her, it means only one thing — even beyond the grave, her mother can never forgive Elena for breaking her heart.

For Lucas, New York is hallowed ground that he can never leave. He spends his days working in the Financial District and his evenings volunteering and it’s almost enough to help him forget what he did. Lucas knows better than to make plans with a woman who will soon be leaving, yet can’t help himself. There’s something about Elena that pulls him in. He doesn’t put much faith in signs but even he starts to believe Elena is his absolution. Now, he only has to convince her.

I thought this book was remarkable, Patty Blount brought so many emotions that I felt while reading this story. I remember when 9/11 happened, I live across the country and I felt so sad for the family and the people living in New York when this happened. I could feel the loss in these characters, as they had loss their mothers. I have experience grief of my own, not with 9/11 but losing a family member. I just felt that this story was written so well, so perfect for a sad yet happy Christmas story, I am glad I waited till after Christmas to read this book. This story of loss and happiness is so right on the mark. I am so glad I was able to read this book.

Thanks to Tule Publishing and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book.